Gambling in Oklahoma

Oklahoma gambling laws are not overtly prohibiting when compared to other US gambling laws. Here’s a brief overview of gambling in Oklahoma, including online gambling and lottery legislations.

Casino Gambling and Betting in Oklahoma

After Las Vegas, Oklahoma has the most casinos in the US. All of these establishments are on Native American land, offering Class III, but mostly Class II gambling. Casinos with Class II gambling in Oklahoma offer slot-style bingo games. Class III gambling covers the classic, vegas-style games, such as blackjack, slots or roulette. The first tribal gambling compact was signed in 1992 and it was expanded in 2004, allowing the tribes to provide Class III games and extend their business.

Besides tribal casinos, Oklahoma gambling laws permit pari-mutuel betting on horse races. These venues can also offer slot-style games, turning them into racinos. Currently, there are three such racinos in Oklahoma. Other forms of betting and gambling are not allowed in the state. “Every person who opens […] conducts, […] or carries on […] any gambling game played with dice, cards or any device, for money, checks, credits, or any representatives of value […] shall be guilty of a felony,” says the Oklahoma gambling law.

The punishment for such crimes is not less than USD 500 and 1 year in prison, but it can go up to USD 2,000 and 10 years of imprisonment. Oklahoma gambling laws are among the few that criminalize illegal playing as well. “Any person who bets or plays at any of said prohibited games,” can be punished by a fine of USD 25-100 or by 1-30 days in prison.

Online Gambling in Oklahoma

Most US gambling news sites say that Oklahoma gambling laws cannot be interpreted to internet Casinos. This is false and misleading information that might cause some serious trouble for players. The state statutes clearly state that gambling is punishable at unlicensed casinos, even by devices “which may be adapted to or used in playing any game of chance or in which chance is a material element.” Since computers and phones are devices, the law can be easily interpreted to online gambling as well. Therefore, online gambling in Oklahoma is illegal. And the punishment for such misdemeanors can be as high as 30 days in prison.

Lotteries in Oklahoma

Lottery is legal in Oklahoma and is overseen by the Oklahoma Lottery Commission. Besides local and jurisdictional Oklahoma lottery games, players can participate in multi-state draws as well. The Oklahoma Lottery was established as late as 2005, by a referendum, which also created the Commission. In 2015, Oklahomans spent USD 182 million on lottery tickets, which is USD 50 per person. Currently, tickets are available only at land-based resellers.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Oklahoma

House Bill 2278 would establish a regulatory framework for daily fantasy sports in Oklahoma, as these games are currently unregulated. If implemented, it would create the Oklahoma Fantasy Contests Act with a clear baseline for costumer protection and the conduction of daily fantasy sports in Oklahoma. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, approximately 600,000 Oklahomans play online fantasy sports games. Oklahoma has a peaceful stance on the topic: “Unless people have complaints, or we know of cheating or that they are loading it one way or the other, then we should not try to create a problem,” said State Senator Earl Garrison in 2015.